Lingering by the Hearth

There is a room in the house, where everyone goes to recover from the world.  It is a place of warmth and safety.  It is the parlour.  Here one finds a cozy fire in the fireplace; comfortable chairs to rest in; and perhaps a little table for refreshments or a game of checkers.

It takes a little effort to keep the room clean and looking pleasant.  The windows must be washed, the curtains ironed and tidy; the floor swept and the furniture dusted.  This room ought to be cleaned on a daily basis, and sometimes more often than that.  It is the room for hospitality to refresh the residents and guests who enter.

Sometimes, when one is so weary from the world, or the day's work, one does not want to leave the parlour just yet. That is when the family lingers by the hearth.  The warm glow of the fire, and the pleasant room, strengthens the soul and delights the heart.

We Homemakers must do our very best to keep a little pleasant "hearth" (even if it is just a small heater) for the happiness and rest of our families.

blessings
Mrs. White


From the Archives:

How the children will remember their Mother - Echoes from the Kitchen.

When You are Overwhelmed - Prayers Which Cannot Be Uttered.

Only a Little work needed - The Basics of Lovely Housekeeping.





For Home-keeping Inspiration, order my book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 




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Review - My Beloved and My Friend

Book  - My Beloved and My Friend:  How to Be Married to Your Best Friend without Changing Spouses.

Author - Hal and Melanie Young

Publisher - Great Waters Press

Paperback, 250 pages



I have to tell you... the first time I saw the cover of this book, I didn't understand the birds.  After I had an actual copy in my hand and read half of it, I realized it must be an example of "love birds!"

There is something about that saying, "love birds," that make one think of a life-long, happy, relationship.  There is no separating them!

This is really what the Young's book is about - building and maintaining a strong marriage, even in this modern world!

I love that Hal and Melanie worked together to write this book.  They share personal experiences, memories, observations and lots of research.   As parents of 8 children, and married for almost 30 years, they have plenty of insight into family life and marriage!

The tone of the book is open, friendly, conversational - mixed with some powerful lessons, and incredible insight.

They cover topics such as:

 - Who should be the financial provider in the relationship?

-  Handling severe health problems.

-  Reasons and research for the blessing of children (whether there is one child or many).

- Safeguards for the relationship and strength of the marriage (and family).

- Startling research into how the culture has damaged the vision of a godly marriage.

There is one section, in particular, from the book that was significant.  They discuss painful and exhausting health problems and how they kept their marriage strong through it all.  Yet, a more difficult strain on a marriage was briefly described. It was Melanie's grandparents.  Her grandfather was described as a very difficult man.  His wife remained by his side; and in their old age, their love and devotion to one another is incredibly beautiful!

In this book, you may find controversial portions. You may see things you don't agree with.  Yet, the book will get you thinking! It will work as a tool to help make your own marriage strong.

Please realize - We need books like this, that help strengthen marriage! We need them desperately!


This book will be released early next year.  In the meantime, you can pre-order a copy at a special price of $12 (with free shipping), directly from the Youngs.



You are welcome to read more reviews, by other bloggers, at Bow of Bronze.


* Disclosure - I received a copy of this book for review purposes.*





To find out more about my commercial breaks, please see my disclosure page.

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War Slogans for a Clean House

I sat some of my teens down this week and asked for help. I needed artwork done. I handed out paper, pencils and crayons.  (That's all we had on hand).  I wrote up a little motivational paper and said I needed it turned into big pages of artwork.

My idea was to motivate the grown children to willingly help more around the house.  What I wrote sounded like a "war slogan" for the homefront.   Here is what my paper said:

"Take Pride in Our Home!

"Do Your Share!"

I thought my teenagers would do something basic and pretty. But they surprised me!

Within 30 minutes, they had created large comic strips, complete with cartoon characters.  One depicted "Dean" who had a full time job, and still came home to clean his house. He urged readers to clean too!

Next, there was "Stanley" who wore glasses and a nice shirt and tie.  He thought very poorly about people who didn't do dishes or sweep the floors. He pointed out at his audience and demanded they get up and work around the house.

I taped the comics around the kitchen and hallways. They were so entertaining.  One of the grown children woke up late and saw them! "What's with all the comics?" He asked with a smile. 

When children are little, it is easy to get a routine of chores established. But as time changes and seasons come and go, we have to constantly adjust our homemaking tasks to meet the needs of a growing family.  When we have teenagers and young adults living at home, it is hard to avoid feel like a nag, wanting them to help more.  Motivation and fun cleaning games are a wonderful way to make a transition into a new routine of chores.

I have a new plan in place, and new chore assignments for each of my children.  We will continue to make war slogans for cleaning, to keep things light and fun here at home.  I love cleaning and housekeeping. I want to pass on that same delight to my children through creative motivation.

blessings
Mrs. White


From the Archives:

When Mr. White carried me into the house - Walking the Grounds with Mister.

Won't You Be One of these? - A Good Little Housewife.

A Very Special Place - The Comfort of a Dressing Room. 




For Home-keeping Inspiration, order my book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 




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The Cultured Society of Home

In a biography about Abigail Adams, we are told that her father had a vast library, which she used as the main source of her education at home.  A home ought to be a place where solid, appropriate learning takes place.

 If a family has money, they might spend it on quality literature - classic titles by Dickens or Austen.  They might consider it wise to have a selection of titles from earlier days, such as those published by "The American Tract Society."  These were Christian stories of faith and family that were often read by the fireside. 

We have been told that Abraham Lincoln came from a very poor family.  The only book available to him was the Bible - but what a book! 

The key in a godly, cultured home, is not just what we "have" but what is not there.   If time and money are spent on meaningless trivia or meaningless amusements, one loses the time to invest in a sweet, wholesome society at home.    Money is often wasted on consumer goods, including processed foods, excessive toys and technology.  This is an investment into the type of society you are creating in your home.  We must be selective and careful to choose what we want in our homes.  When one selects the furnishings or the drapery or the decorations for a home, one is setting the mood for the type of home they will have.  Is this not also true for the types of things or activities that go on there?

Mothers can gently lead the family into a sweet and cultured home by her own cheerful interests in that which is good and noble.  I understand that the world has seeped into our homes, in this modern day; but Mother's interests can be carefully introduced.   Some mothers may listen to a muted version of Italian Opera while she bakes in the kitchen.  Others may have a sermon about the family playing in the background while she does the ironing.  Some may be reading the Bible, at the kitchen table and sipping on tea, while the children play.  Her actions and her interests will seep into the hearts of her family. 

The Amish have a way of making homemade furniture and foods that modern families think take too long.  The wisdom in the making is that it breeds peace in the heart and provides a gentler way of passing on skills to the younger generation.  Time spent doing this type of work at home with our family is precious and will reap goodness.

While we mothers clean and decorate our homes, may we think of ways to create a beautiful society at home.

blessings
Mrs. White


From the Archives:

Some Ideas - Getting Along in Marriage

Always striving to be this - The Old Time Housewife

Happy Days as Grandmother - Walking the Gardens with Baby




For Home-keeping Inspiration, order my book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 




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An Evening in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee

In the early 1990's, Mister and I moved to Tennessee. We lived there for about 3 months.  We had packed up all of our belongings and wanted to try a new life in the south.  At the time, we had four children. The youngest was only a few months old.  It was an incredible adventure!

The landscape in rural Tennessee is breathtaking.  The churches are lovely and inspiring!  We went to Dollywood and Cades Cove.  We looked at land for sale and mobile homes.  We were renting a little house in a suburban Knoxville community.  But we loved our little trips to the country and to see the "sights."

Last night I was delighted to see "Christy" on INSP television.   Mister and I watched several episodes, late into the night.  Christy is part of a missionary team who minister to the people in a rural mountain community.  There is a school and a church, but no businesses and no stores.  The scenery in the program is peaceful and makes one long for a rural, old time, country life.

There are so many incredible lessons to glean from "Christy."   The families were poor but had great pride and would not take charity.  They wanted to work for all they had.  The menfolk were the providers.   The mission house dealt with all kinds of failure and terrible situations, but they kept going.  They endured it and prayed and had faith in God.  They didn't give up on the people they were put there to minister to.    The missionaries were not perfect and made that very clear to each other.  I love that!

I noticed last night that the entire series of Christy is available on DVD, for a very low price.  I hope to get a set when I have a little extra money.  I would love to have it for the lessons and the peacefulness. I would also love it for the memories of living in a place that, sometimes, I wish I never left.

Blessings
Mrs. White






For Home-keeping Inspiration, order my book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 




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Homemaking Propaganda

In our rapidly changing culture, we have to find a way to keep our bearings.  Many take vacations to "get away from it all," and have some quiet.   We are bombarded with ads, theories, ideas and marketing images.   Many of us long for a quiet walk in the beautiful countryside.  This can soothe a tired mind.  It can remove anxiety and worries.  It blocks the "world's" ideas long enough for us to recover and straighten our walk.

There is a dangerous seed spreading across the world's fields. It produces an anti- homemaking propaganda. It puts us on edge.  It wants to shut down the home, make it evolve, and destroy the tranquility of the little cottage where the old time family lives.

One needs a "pesticide" of sorts to remove this from the family garden.  It is a remedy, or a fertilizer, to help the spirit of homemaking to thrive.  We need our very own godly homemaking propaganda.

This can be found in certain television shows (Olivia and Grandma in "The Waltons;" Aunt Bea in "The Andy Griffith Show.")  It can be found in old writings, such as the original "Little House on the Prairie" books.  It can be found in some modern books. It can be heard on CDs through old time preaching sermons and homemaking radio programs. 

It can also be found in those who live it each day.  Each time a homemaker cheerfully cleans and cooks and bakes and commits to being a steadfast keeper of the home, she is sending out  good propaganda that will help the next generation to have courage and strength to continue. 

The homemaking propaganda can often be a living example of Mother at home.  This mother is tending and cultivating the little cottage for the old time family. She is doing this on little money and with minimal material goods.  She is making a little haven in the midst of a dying world. 

May God bring many more like her.   And let us encourage the godly homemaking propaganda to help guide those who are losing their way.  It is the Titus 2 mandate.

Blessings
Mrs. White


From the Archives:

Don't get Caught up in this kind of thinking - What Kind of Queen are You?

Have you ever Wondered? - How a Housewife Passes the Time.

Take Good Care of Him - Cooking for Mister.




For Home-keeping Inspiration, order my book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 




An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

$4.38 for Revival Challenge and a Giveaway

The Revival Book -

My book, "Early Morning Revival Challenge" is on sale at Amazon for only $4.38! I don't know how long they will keep the price that low, but I hope you can get a copy or two at that price.

A Giveaway -

I am giving away 2 copies of the book to one winner!  One for you, and one for a family member or friend.   For a chance to win, please leave a comment on this post, telling me who you would give the second copy to, and why.

What Others are Saying -

1. Kathy has been using this 90 Day Revival challenge. Here is part of her review:

"If you are trying to establish a good habit of morning Bible reading this is a good book for that. And if you fill in the book with dates and your notes it will be a treasure for your grandchildren one day."


Read the rest at Teaching Good Things.


2. Sarah also reviewed the book. Here is part of her review:

"The whole thing has an old fashioned, down home feel to it just like Mrs. Sharon White’s blog at The Legacy of Home – it’s a good way to bring the calmness of a time gone by and modern study together."


Read the rest at Growing For Christ.


Who Would Enjoy the Book

1. Teens in youth group or Sunday School.
2. An informal Bible Study Group (perhaps they can each get a copy and check in with each other on their progress.)
3. Homeschool students (high school or college age)
4. Adults
5. A Wonderful gift idea for family and friends.


I hope you will get your copy while the price is so low! 




Don't forget to enter this giveaway for a chance to win 2 copies of "Early Morning Revival Challenge" (One for you and one for a family member or friend).  For a chance to win, just leave me a comment telling me who you would give the second copy to, and why.




For additional Entries:

1. Post about this on Facebook.

2. Write a post, linking to this giveaway, on your own Blog. (This is worth 3 entries. Please leave 3 separate comments.)

3. Choose to "like" The Legacy of Home on Facebook.

4. Follow me on Twitter.

5. Share this on Twitter.
 

*Please leave a separate comment for each entry.*

One random winner we be selected on Friday, October 4, 2013. (U.S.  Entries only.) The winner will receive 2 copies of "Early Morning Revival Challenge." If I am unable to reach the winner within 48 hours, an alternate winner will be selected.


-  You must include your email address in your profile, or in your comment, or I can't find you if you win! - Anonymous comments will be void.

Note - This contest has ended. The winner is Deborah!
 

To find out more about my commercial breaks, please see my disclosure page.

An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

Home as a Little Christian School

In this modern day, the worldly culture has seeped into our homes.  It doesn't belong there.  Home should be a little school of Christian living.  Here is where children see Mother and Dad read the Bible, say prayers, and model good manners and morals.

We should also see great industry.  We should see cheerful and happy workers in Mother and Dad.  They set the example.  Dad often takes great pride in the care of the home and yard.  We may see him mowing the lawn, repairing porch steps, working on the car, and fixing screens.  He is busy with making the property look pleasant. He maintains the little christian school called "home."

Mother is busy with preparing meals.  She might be mending a torn curtain, ironing shirts, washing the floor, or baking pastries.  She does this cheerfully, happy to be doing a great work for the Lord in the little home.

Along the way, children are added to the family.  They walk beside the parents.  They help in the care and keeping of that little school at home.  They join in the prayers, the Bible reading, and happy chores.  Often young children find chores pleasant and fun because they get to do them with their parents, whom they love and admire.  They enjoy the company of the parents and want to do the work along with them.  Through this, their own good manners and morals are developed.

Home should be a place which is not a stumbling- block to sin. There should be no liquor, no drugs, no crimes happening (little thefts within the family), no lies, no scantily dressed residents, and no evil or inappropriate television shows. The family ought to take a stance against the world, and stand for a godly home with good policies and rules in the little school at home.  Mother and Dad must model this behavior and set the example.

There is a culture of  the world's school, in some homes.  This does not build the Christian family. Here is where the world's ideas and theories are paramount.  Modern parents often buy their children gadgets and gifts and trips to make them happy, but don't ask the children to work for such frivolity.   Bible reading or prayers don't happen because modern parents are often embarrassed by it, or their children roll their eyes when it is offered because this is not the kind of little school they attended.  It is foreign to them.  They were trained in worldliness, amusements, taking it easy, and enjoying being "young." 

Mother and Dad must set the patten in little Christian homes.  They must study Scripture and pray and immerse themselves in holy living.  This is what will bring a light of wisdom and beauty and godliness into the little school at home.   Family Altar, Sermons, Memorizing the Bible, Modesty, Patience and a Servant's heart should be modeled by the parents. This should be done every day.  This is what makes a happy, joyous home, when Mother and Dad have a heart, and a love, for the Christian School. It ought to be their life's work, their hobby, their everything.

This modern culture is heading to a great ruin.  Let our little homes be strong Christian Schools, and let us bring hope to a dying world, by living heavenward lives, even if our little school is the only one in our community. 

Blessings
Mrs. White


From the Archives:

How precious - Sweet Hours at Home.

This is so important - Godly Home, Marriage and Family.

Daily Life - Ideas for a Happy Home.




For Home-keeping Inspiration, order my book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 




An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

Green Giant presents - a Health and Fitness Giveaway

I received a gift package from Green Giant.  It included:

1. A "Health and Fitness" journal.  This is a notebook containing daily food and exercise logs.

2.  Luggage - A Duffel bag

3.  A Bottle Infuser

4.  Target $10 gift card

5. Green Giant Coupons for free products


This is part of "Green Giant Make a Difference Campaign."

Green Giant wants you to enjoy your vegetables and feel good about eating them!  Their line of frozen products offers a great variety of nourishing food.


Giveaway

Would you like a chance to win the same gift pack I received? (Details above.)  To enter, all you have to do is leave me a comment telling me your favorite Green Giant product.



For additional Entries:

1. Post about this on Facebook.

2. Write a post, linking to this giveaway, on your own Blog. (This is worth 3 entries. Please leave 3 separate comments.)

3. Choose to "like" The Legacy of Home on Facebook.
 

*Please leave a separate comment for each entry.*

One random winner we be selected on Friday, October 4, 2013. (U.S.  Entries only.) The winner will receive one gift pack from Green Giant. If I am unable to reach the winner within 48 hours, an alternate winner will be selected.


-  You must include your email address in your profile, or in your comment, or I can't find you if you win! - Anonymous comments will be void.

Note - This contest is closed. The winner is Rachel!
 

*Disclosure - Items and information were provided for review purposes by Green Giant and myblogspark.*

To find out more about my commercial breaks, please see my disclosure page.

An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.